London area golf: Walton Heath and Swinley Forest

[Kevin_D]

This is a little delayed, but I wanted to first say thank you to all here who gave me recommendations around London, and share a little about my experience.  This was my first time playing golf in the UK, so I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but ended up loving the experience, even though the weather was a bit cold and conditions a bit wet while I was there.

First: Walton Heath Old.  I went here straight from Heathrow on a rainy Sunday.  They insisted on charging me only half the normal rate.  Everyone - the staff, members, the pros, my caddie - was incredibly welcoming and made me feel right at home.

As for the course, I loved it.  It has a vastness to it (you can usually see many holes from wherever you are), and reminded me a little of Stonewall North with heather, or maybe Shinnecock (I've never played but have driven by).  The sod wall bunkers were typically barely noticeable from the tee, which is probably a good thing because seeing them up close would cause me to snap hook by drive out of fear (not that I ever do that). 

A few pics:

[Kevin_D]

On to Swinley Forest.  Another great place.  Very tranquil and serene - I often felt like the only one on the course (which was nearly true).  In addition to the heather and bunkers (which were not quite as imposing as Walton Heath), a lot of interesting obstacles, such as heathery mounds, are used in the fairway that require a more accurate tee shot for a longer hitter than a shorter one.  Huge variation in the length of holes - several par 4s around 300 yards, and several 430-450, making the course seem a lot longer than 6000 yards (though par 69).  But the greens are what make Swinley really interesting - huge undulations and a lot of false fronts make missing on the wrong side a big penalty. And again, everyone I met there was incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Overall, any Americans considering playing in the UK who haven't done so yet - do it!  You won't regret it.

PS - I love that dogs can be on the course there.  Just fantastic!

[Mark Chaplin]

Nice pictures, do you have one from the 5th tee? I'm interested to see how the new bunkers look from the tee.

[Kevin_D]

Nice pictures, do you have one from the 5th tee? I'm interested to see how the new bunkers look from the tee.

Thanks Mark!  I assume you mean Walton Heath?  I don't have one from the tee, but I do from my, uh, less than straight tee shot...

[Mark Chaplin]

Sorry Swinley Forest, Frank has obviously done a good job if you didn't notice they are new!!

[Kevin_D]

Sorry Swinley Forest, Frank has obviously done a good job if you didn't notice they are new!!

Got it, here you go - #5 view from the tee.  There is a closer picture with the dog above.  I'd say the bunkers look great.

[Eric Smith]

Kevin,

Yours is the best name I've come across for a golf blog. Good content as well. Nice job!

[Dan Boerger]

Kevin - Thanks for posting these pics. Brought back some great memories. Swinley in bloom is also some sight to behold (and play).

And if your travels take you back don't overlook Walton Heath New - a number of great holes. And the after round drinks and some additional putting in and around the clubhouse topped off a wonderful day.

Two very special places.

[Kevin_D]

Eric: thanks!  I'm having fun with it.

Dan: my pleasure.  Both were such a treat to play, and I probably would never have even tried to play either if it weren't for the helpfulness and encouragement of many on this site.  I definitely plan to get back to both places, and with luck will play both the New and Old at Walton Heath next time.

Kevin

[Charlie Gallagher]

GCA London Experts,
    Ok, I have been hearing about the London area courses for a while now. Could I ask you experienced enthusiasts to provide a synopsis of the worthy London heathland courses? I would be glad to reciprocate re New England venues and Irish courses. What do you like and why?
Thanks for the posting re Walton Heath and Swinley Forest, they both look very enticing. What else is good?

[Kevin_D]

Charlie:

I am by no means an expert but the other courses I considered for this trip and would like to play eventually include:

Sunningdale
St George's Hill
Woking

Other recommended to me by some here that would also be on my list to hit eventually (if I ever have the time) are:
Worplesdon
Liphook
The Berkshire (which is apparently very near Swinley, and people there said good things about it)

Finally, there is Wentworth, which you can read quite a bit of pro/con about in the archives (I believe it is also the priciest of all these).

Kevin

[Jaeger Kovich]

GCA London Experts,
    Ok, I have been hearing about the London area courses for a while now. Could I ask you experienced enthusiasts to provide a synopsis of the worthy London heathland courses? I would be glad to reciprocate re New England venues and Irish courses. What do you like and why?
Thanks for the posting re Walton Heath and Swinley Forest, they both look very enticing. What else is good?

The top tier I would recommend are:

St. George's Hill
Sunningdale Old and New
Swinley Forest (had some winter problems with greens, wait 6 months)
Walton Heath Old and New
Woking (best greens)

After that you have:
The Addington (a personal favorite, but not the best conditions)
Royal Ashdown Forest (the most natural inland course in the world)
West Sussex (a bit further than most, but worth it)
Worplesdon

Others worthy of a look:
Berkshire Blue and Red
Coombe Hill


... I wouldn't go to London and play Heathland courses 7 days in a row. I would play 2-3, then drive to one of the coasts, play 2-3 links courses (English Chanel is only 2 hrs east) then head back to London. If you play all the Heathland courses back-to-back they will blend together to much.

[Mark Chaplin]

Jaeger I'd say playing 15 links courses in 10 days would be more "samey" than the heaths, but your advice is very valid. I still maintain that 3 or 4 days on the heaths and the same on the Kent/Sussex links are a world class trip.

[Bill_McBride]

Jaeger I'd say playing 15 links courses in 10 days would be more "samey" than the heaths, but your advice is very valid. I still maintain that 3 or 4 days on the heaths and the same on the Kent/Sussex links are a world class trip.

That it is, Chappers, that it is!   

[Mark Pearce]

Charlie,

I can recommend the Search function on the site.  Slightly dysfunctional but well worth a try.

[Pete Lavallee]

Charlie,

Here are some of my London area experiences:

Definetly purchase a day ticket at Walton Heath. Play the Old in the morning, have a relaxing lunch in the Clubhouse; hopefully they won't run out of their famous tounge sandwiches like they did the day I was there. Follow that with a round on the New. Try to make the time to chat with only the third Pro they have had in over 100 years Ken Mac Pherson, just a great guy. A trip around the Braid museum in his old workshop is also quite a thrill.

Royal Ashdown Forest is a truely unique adventure owing to the fact there are no bunkers on the course; an edict about digging in the Royal Preserve prevented it. Still a truely magnificent golfing experience as the bunkers are replaced with unique folds in the ground, many covered in heather. See if they'll rent you a dog for the day as did to some Germans who visited the course and were told it was mandatory to have a dog in tow.

West Sussex is an amazing place. Simple strategy like one massive bunker guarding the corner of the dogleg makes for an interesting chioce of playing bravely or safely with respective rewards for each. Only one par 5 makes this a tough course to score on with several long par 3's thrown in. Stay at the B&B on property in the same Arts and Crafts style as the clubhouse. DO NOT change shoes in the car park!  

Woking is a must visit. Very good strategic choices to be made over the course of the round; be sure to try and hook one around the right edge of the greenside bunker on #3. Excellent undulations in the putting surfaces. If you bring your wife or girlfriend they'll be relegated to the patio (not a bad thing) or the ladies tv lounge.

The Addington is unique and should not be missed. Not a weak hole on the course and lots of variety. The clubhouse here is spartan and there is not much memorabelia as it was lost in a fire many years ago.

[Charlie Gallagher]

To the kind gentlemen who answered my question,
    Thank you for the information you provided. One of the things that makes this site so useful is the knowledge of the individuals who gather at GCA. There is not a day that passes where I don't learn something new here. You guys have provided me with a road map for further inquiry. I don't know when I am going to London, but I have friends there and I need to do it. I now have a good idea of the courses I need to visit. Thanks again for the insightful responses.